Basic Hardware Necessities for the Move

The right hardware simplifies the moving process and protects you from injuries.

The moving day is arguably one of the most stressful days you will encounter in your home ownership process. Even with meticulous planning and preparation, that can last for months; you will experience several hiccups on the material day. Having the right tools can simplify the process.

There is nothing worse than realizing halfway through the move that you are missing essential hardware. If you decide to move by yourself, make a list of all the essentials you need beforehand, and outsource all the items a few days before the actual move day.

A Utility or Furniture Dolly

Utility and furniture dollies save you from the stress and frustration of lifting and moving heavy items. A utility dolly helps you move multiple boxes, saving from the likelihood of dropping heavy boxes that contain valuables. It also speeds up the process by allowing you to stack several boxes per trip.

A furniture dolly comes with a flat base that is quite useful when moving bulky, awkward furniture; make sure you secure all the heavy items for safety while moving, especially along the staircase or up the ramp into the truck.

Moving Straps

One common item you are likely to overlook is the moving strap. Moving straps come in handy when moving heavy and awkward appliances, such as a couch or a big-screen television, which requires more than one person to move. They make carrying of the items by multiple people easier, especially around corners or when going up or down the stairs.

Additionally, moving straps prevent injuries and back strains during the move. They also help in securing bulky items and boxes on the dolly for safer moving. In case you do no not have moving straps, make sure you get strong ropes to serve as a substitute.

Moving Pads

You need moving pads or blankets to wrap around pieces of furniture and household items you value. Moving pads protect your valuables from spills, accidental knocking against each other or the truck, dust and breakage in case of an accidental fall. They also come in handy in the packaging and moving of antiques and other fragile items in the house.

Alternatively, you can use plastic protective wrap to contain, pad and protect both small and big pieces. Protective wrap comes off easily, leaving no residue on your valued items.

Scissors and Tape

Always have a pair of scissors and packing tape on hand; if possible, give some to everyone who is helping you. Packing tape is very useful for securing furniture parts, sealing packaging boxes, securing the corners of your wrapping blanket or repackaging of boxes you might need to reopen.

Sliders

Moving sliders are small discs you place under heavy furniture, such as desks, filling cabinets or bookshelves. Sliders help in simplifying the movement of even the heaviest pieces by allowing you to pull the furniture from one end of the room to the other.

If you do not have sliders, you can substitute them with towels and rags for bare floors or cardboards on carpeted floors. Always make sure you have an extra set of hands helping you to hold the furniture, lest it falls and creates a mess or causes an injury.

Zip Ties

Power cords and other electric cables get lost easily during the moving process. Make sure you have zip ties to help you secure all the cords and cable you need when moving. Zip ties will also save you from having to deal with a tangled mess when trying to settle in to your new home.

Stair Roller

If you have stairs, get a stair roller to help you move your items along a staircase. They are quite easy to secure, after which you can roll bulky items down a set of stairs, especially when working with carpeted stairs that create resistance, making it practically impossible to roll down heavy pieces of furniture.

Additional tools

Other tools that may help you while moving include post-it notes, markers, trash bags and plastic bags. Post-it notes help you set quick reminders while preparing for the move, while markers help in labeling boxes. Plastic bags and trash bags serve as additional storage materials, especially when disassembling furniture.

Conclusion

The right hardware simplifies the moving process and protects you from injuries. Look for rental options available nearby and have the items delivered to you in advance, then buy whatever you need to buy at your local hardware. Make sure you learn how to use each tool to avoid inconveniences on the moving day.